The director and star of The Producers will accept the trophy at a gala

dinner held in his honor next June .

Howard Stringer, chair of the AFI board of trustees, says, "Mel Brooks is America's long-reigning king of comedy - and as he taught us long ago,

it's good to be the king. He's a master of an art form that rarely gets the respect it deserves, and it is AFI's honor to shine a bright light on laughter by presenting Mel Brooks (with) the 41st Afi Life Achievement Award."

Brooks is one of only 14 stars who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.

News of the accolade comes after Brooks accepted an honorary degree from the AFI in recognition of his "contribution of distinction to the art of the moving image" in June . (Paw/hr/zn)